Friday, February 28, 2014

Super Heroes Part 2: Wearable Technology

This is part Two of the Super Heroes fibre saga…last week it was all about EMF’s ..Electro Magnetic Fields….this week its all about how we can make so called “smart” clothing or garments and what it means for us crafty fibre-holics.

First of all: Apart from a jumper or socks or gloves that actually fit and look “smart” it is not quite that what I had in mind. No, what has been looked into for the last couple of years now, is a way to make the things you wear day in day out, pick up signals and translate it in a certain way. For example: build in sensors that register heartbeat and blood pressure, the number of steps you do every day. Even more! You can already buy the bracelets etc offcourse but now they are thinking further and putting it into clothes: so called “wearable tech”.

Sony has filed a patent application for a 'SmartWig', a wearable mass of hair that could give you directions and deliver tactile feedback to your brain -- all while aptly covering up those receding patches. In its filing, Sony argues that a high-tech rug is the perfect vessel for a wearable computer interface, as the head is more naturally sensitive than, say, a person's hand or foot.

"The fact that users instinctively protect their heads more than other body parts" is another plus, Sony argues, as it could deploy more sensitive sensors with less risk of the delicate tech being damaged. Sony details that the wig, which could play host to a GPS sensor, "may have a fancy or funny appearance", or could be inconspicuous. The definition of a wig shouldn't restrict the high-tech hairpiece to being made from just one type of hair, and could feature wool, feathers, yak or horse hair or even bunny…lol
While Sony hasn't revealed any plans to actually start work on building the smart wig, getting the patent application filed means that Sony's executives can sleep easy, knowing that if rival tech companies try to steal their amazing idea, there'll be hell toupé….pardon the pun…..

Wearable technology is tipped to be the Next Big Thing in the world of technology -- hot on the heels of smart phones. And, it can be much more than a bald spot cover up…it can be an in built healer: Here is a so called Vibeing jumper, made from super fine merino, stainless steel and built in circuits that vibrate and detect the area of your body that needs a massage.
Now you can wear your masseuse…do not use in water and no oil needed I’d say..lol

Now the circuits you see in the Vibeing jumper are not that unnoticeable, there is more, and that brings me to my Super hero blend and last weeks stainless steel tops: You can make a garment with the stainless steel and the blend that is conductive enough to make smart garments. You don’t need to, you can just spin and enjoy the wonderful feel of it and that is “smart” enough for you. However, you can look into incorporating smart technology to your wearables because the stainless steel is a conductor. You can knit gloves with a bit of extra stainless steel in the tips, which will make it possible to wear your hand knit gloves and operate your smart phone or tablet without having to take off your gloves ! And, that is not all!

You can even look into knitting your own portable energy device right there on your shirt! There is currently a study going on to make this happen. In a way it is very logical: we use energy but at the same time we also make energy, so why not be able to store that and use it to power your phone or tablet ? It is not that silly as you may think.

There is already a company SmartLife who makes clothes for the military and healthcare with inbuilt sensors. Developed over the last 10-years, Smartlife’s smart fabric technology captures electrical, temperature, sweat, pressure and flex data which is then translated via advanced signal processing into vital indicators such as ECG, heart rate and muscle contraction. Smartlife's SoftSensors can be used to produce clothing that delivers ubiquitous always-on real-time monitoring of a wide range of vital signs / body data at a quality comparable to clinical standards.

And then there is another company, King Gee, who is using nano technology for the ultimate clothes..wait for it…
:

A DAY on the tools just got a whole lot sweeter for the nation's tradesmen, thanks to a new range of ''smart clothing'' that combats body odour. The workwear, by Australian company King Gee, uses nanotechnology to absorb body odour.
The fabric is apparently so intelligent it can also differentiate between a bad smell and a good one; it will absorb your body odour but not your deodorant or aftershave.
While King Gee's range of ''smart'' shorts, shirts and trousers will be a godsend for tradies, it also marks a new direction for the clothing industry in general, which could soon be offering socks that mend themselves, trousers that can power your iPod and luminous sleepwear you can read by…question is : How do you turn your shirt “OFF” when you want to go to sleep?..lol

Already the multibillion-dollar intelligent clothing industry, which incorporates smart fabrics and nanofibres as well as wearable technology, has produced hundreds of smart-garment designs.
There's a shirt that rolls up its own sleeves when the wearer gets too hot, a solar tie that charges your mobile phone, a suit with a built-in iPod, clothes that can change colour, gloves with built-in heaters, a shirt that enables you to be hugged via a mobile phone and a business suit that claims to kill swine flu when it comes into contact with the fabric.

In Australia, the CSIRO is leading local small clothing research and development.
The organisation's textile and fibre technology department in Geelong is working on a range of intelligent textiles and garments, including high-tech yarns made from carbon nanotubes which could eventually be used to develop anti-ballistic and energy storing clothing for military purposes; garments that can be tracked via GPS systems to help locate wounded soldiers or missing miners; and clothes that can automatically contract around a wound to prevent blood loss.
The team is also developing a range of garments with embedded wireless sensors (here's where the stainless steel and other conductive fibres come in !) with a variety of sports and medical applications, including remote rehabilitation and clothes that can notify nursing staff if a patient falls over.
Dr Richard Helmer from the CSIRO says clothing is the perfect platform for many new technologies.
''It makes sense to be able to integrate new technologies and capabilities into our clothes,'' he says.
Council of Textiles and Fashion Industries of Australia executive director Jo Kellock says many of the initial applications have been in the areas of medicine, military and things like extreme sports, but as the research and development progresses ''we will see it seeping through into mainstream fashion as designers look for a competitive edge and as we begin to think more about garment functionality and sustainability''.

Levi launched the world's first iPod-enabled jeans and in February Adidas will launch a range of shoes that double as an ''augmented reality'' game, where the sneakers are also the game controllers.

Meanwhile, King Gee plans to increase its intelligent fabric range as the technology becomes more affordable.
''One of the challenges with a lot of these treatments is that they're new and a lot of R&D has gone into them, sometimes they can be very expensive,'' says King Gee marketing and communications manager, Mirjana Dujkovic. ''But as they become more available and affordable, I think we'll be seeing a lot more of them in everyday brands,'' she says.

Well, there is lots to think about and to discover. It is exciting and really makes you think that , well, anything is possible..even in knitting and fibre!

The new blend I have been working on and aptly namesd“Super hero tops” is an amazing blend of Super fine Angorino, Suri, Silk, Cashmere and yes, Stainless Steel. It is super soft, very nice to wear and long lasting! It is strong and shiny and has a great drape and at the same time it can offer you the protection against the EMFs we talked about last week!

Not only that but if you were to spin the stainless steel tops from last week separately you can knit or weave in circuits to make your garment super hero smart !
It also works great as longlasting socks that will have a hard time wearing out! And is great for sweaty feet or armpits for that matter.
The Steel is 316L which means it doesn’t rust, so you can wash it as any normal garment or blend.

If you do want to get the natural Super Hero top and dye it your self one tip: PLEASE DO NOT MICROWAVE! There is steel in the blend so its best not to introduce it to high micro waves which will make the machine go “Bang!”….but then again, Im sure you are not drying your bras with underwires in the microwave either…. ?

Today is a special day: Super Hero Day ! and I am very proud to launch this weeks Super Hero blend for the first time !!! Enjoy the read, the tantalising possibilities, the colours and offcourse, the snaffling. As usual, I only have a very limited amount of this Smart Super Hero blend available. Enjoy ! and yes! Now EVERYBODY can be a Super Hero !

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Always happy to enable. All my contact details are to be found at the end of this weeks blog entry. Have fun !!!

NEW IxCHeL Super Hero Tops

A luscious Top of 316L Stainless steel, with its super anti static and conductive properties as well as being able to transform itself into your own personal Thor or Stark Shield (Which ever Super Hero you prefer..lol) combined with Super fine merino, angora, cashmere, suri and silk. 100+grams (+/-3.5Oz) AU$25

The Wolverine
(SOLD OUT in minutes! Obviously the most popular Super Hero around at the moment !)

IxCHeL Club sign ups starting in April 2014 are Open !!

The IxCHeL clubs sign ups are now open!! for the fibre, yarn, mini skein and batt clubs for April, May and June 2014!!

IxCHeL Fibre Club
April, May and June 2014

The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed top/roving per month to the value of AU$22 , and as all of you past members know you get tops that are usually around $24 ! so it is a great deal!

All the tops will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel Fibre Club !
Price to join the Ixchel Fibre Club #20 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months (April, May and June 2014) is AU$66 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND there are good value double serves available !!!

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #20 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for fibre club #20 is April 8th! And the first instalment is going to be shipped out end of April. Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details

The IxCHeL Sock Yarn Club
April, May and June 2014

Every month for three months (April, May and June 2014) you will receive: enough hand dyed luscious yummy yarn to make a pair of socks or a lush shawl or scarf ofcourse! (the hand dyed yarn will be exclusive for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB and will range from a sockweight yarn or a 3ply or a 4 ply); Every month a new sock pattern, tips and instructions ! Now is that GOOD or is that GOOD ??!

I will even offer a double serve for those of you who like their socks extra long

By the way: you don’t HAVE to knit socks if you don’t want to.. the hand dyed yarn is amazingly nice for scarves, cowls, beanies and even tops ! Anything goes .

IxCHeL Mini skein Club April, May and June 2014

Every month I will be offering a monthly exclusive IxCHeL mini skein selection for Club members. In that monthly selection there are 12 hand dyed miniskeins that are hand dyed and or even hand spun and awesome to add to your mini skein projects.

Here are all the details for the sign ups for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club:

Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club is April 8th.
The first Club mini skeins will be sent out end of April. Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details

IxCHeL Funky Bunny Batt Club April, May and June 2014

Here are all the details and just pm me when you have any questions or want to be part of the funky bunny batt club Movement ;-) Welcome to the blingy dark side ;-D

The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed funky bunny batt per month to the value of AU$32 or more .

The batts will range in weight from 100grams to 150grams with luxury fibres like camel , angora, cashmere, silk, yak, llama even wolf and bison! All the batts will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel funky bunny Club ! Every month you will receive a HUGE luxury funky bunny batt !

Sign up now and you will receive an Ixchel Hand dyed , super luxurious funky bunny batt for April, May and June 2014!

Price to join the Ixchel Funky bunny for three months is :

For Australia : $96+$25 postage (parcel post)

For USA + Canada: AU$96+AU$49 (Airmail)

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$96+AU$58 (airmail)

For Asia: AU$96+AU$42 (airmail)

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FUNKY BUNNY Batt CLUB now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the funky bunny batt club April 8th and the first installment is going to be shipped out end of April :) Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me

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Ixchel is an Australian Fibre Farm in the Yarra Valley in Victoria, breeding their own fluffy animals pesticide free and organic. Charly McCafferty (Ixchel Bunny) does all the spinning, dyeing, knitting and weaving and loving every second of it: Angora Rabbit, Cashmere, Mohair, Merino, Alpaca, Camel or even Yak.Paul McCafferty is constantly juggling work on the fibre farm and is the brain behind making all the animal housing and organising the farm harmoneously.
Email:Ixchel@rabbit.com.au

About Me

Email: ixchelbunny@yahoo.com.au
.
Born in the Netherlands, part Dutch and Native American, brought up in Europe, Canada ,the States and Latin America and now living in Australia, I see myself as a world citizen enjoying every moment that this life is giving me. Having such a diverse background I feel very priviledged on how it makes my art (be it paintings or wearable art) so universal and yet so special.